Self-Advocacy Resource Center

Conducting investigations and monitoring facilities is one of the primary jobs of a Protection and Advocacy agency (P&A). Disability Rights New Jersey is empowered by federal law to access all settings where people with disabilities live or receive services. This access authority can be used to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect and to monitor the rights and safety of people with disabilities.

The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) of Disability Rights New Jersey serves as New Jersey’s federally funded assistive technology project through a sub-contract with New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Its purpose is to assist individuals across New Jersey in overcoming barriers in the system and making assistive technology more accessible to individuals with disabilities throughout the state of New Jersey.

Children and youth are a priority focus in our initiatives to support individuals with disabilities, ensuring their rights are upheld and they are free from abuse and neglect. In this category, you'll find resources related to our work with justice-impacted youth, special education, transition-aged youth, and New Jersey Children's System of Care (CSOC).

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress. New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits discrimination and harassment against people with disabilities in many areas. In this category, find resources to help you advocate for your needs in relation to discrimination and accommodations for people with disabilities.

Disability Rights New Jersey is committed to improving the employment outcomes of people with disabilities.  People with disabilities are disproportionately affected by issues of joblessness and consequently are thrust into a cycle of poverty that is difficult to escape without support.   In this category you'll find resources related to vocational rehabilitation, transition services, SSI/SSDI, reasonable employment accommodations, and more.

People with disabilities often have greater medical needs and require assistance with activities of daily living. In New Jersey, there are several options available including Medicaid, SSI/SSDI, and NJ FamilyCare for Blind and Disabled. In this category, you'll find resources related to healthcare needs and concerns for people with disabilities.

This is our miscellaneous resource category, where resources that do not naturally fit in other areas can be found here.

Disability Rights New Jersey advocates on behalf of individuals with disabilities, including, but not limited to, those with significant mental illnesses, aging adults, and those with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), who reside and receive services in in-patient facilities and institutions.

Self-advocacy is the right of individuals with disabilities to speak up for themselves and have their voices heard. Self-advocacy means expressing your needs, making decisions for how you want to live your life, and participating in public policy initiatives that have an impact on your life. Self-advocacy can take many forms, including: voting in elections, participating in your IEP meetings, testifying at legislative hearings, and speaking up for your needs and rights when something isn't working for you.

Self-determination is the idea that people with disabilities have the right to make choices about their lives, including where they live, what they eat, how they spend their time, and how they spend their money. People with disabilities are often subjected to limitations on personal freedom. At Disability Rights NJ we believe in the right to autonomy and respect and promote self-determination for people with disabilities.

Disability Rights New Jersey receives federal funding to educate people with disabilities about the importance of voting through the Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access (PAVA) program which ensures that every qualified person with a disability can vote on Election Day.  We produce a variety of resources that support and encourage voter participation and coordinate with we coordinate with the developmental disabilities network and produce a voting resource guide, "Voting, It's Your Right, " which explains the process of voting, how to educate yourself on candidates and how to cast an independent ballot.